Program places AmeriCorps members on campuses to improve persistence and completion 

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is proud to announce College Completion Corps is expanding to 40 coaches in 2022. The program, which launched in December 2020, places AmeriCorps members at colleges across the state to help students complete degrees or certificates.

College Completion Corps began with 20 coaches at 17 college campuses across the state. Thanks to increased funding from AmeriCorps and the Michigan Community Service Commission, along with the continued support of philanthropic partners, the program is able to expand to 40 coaches at up to 31 schools for its second year. A grant from the Native American Heritage Fund is helping to fund expansion to all three of Michigan’s tribal colleges, with Bay Mills Community College joining current College Completion Corps partner sites Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College and Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. 

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to expand and improve this innovative program,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “As Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect are driving more Michigan residents to community colleges, it is crucial that these students get the support they need to achieve their educational goals and help us reach Sixty by 30.” 

College Completion Corps coaches serve a campus-defined cohort of 100 to 150 students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or students of color, with a focus on college persistence and completion. Coaches integrate into the campus support structure to help students connect with the resources they need. MCAN has launched its recruiting efforts to hire the next cohort of coaches, who will start in December 2021 and serve until November 2022.

“Student success is at the core of Macomb Community College’s mission,” said Charles Muwonge, director of special projects at Macomb Community College. “College Completion Corps coaches have been invaluable in expanding outreach and support to students in need and making a positive impact on their success in school and in life. The program’s enthusiastic coaches relate to our students well, sharing experiences our students understand.”

To learn more about College Completion Corps or how to become a coach, visit micollegeaccess.org/initiatives/completion-corps.

ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation, and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.

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